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TMS Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions Series

November 1, 2016|TMS Therapy

Since we introduced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy for depression at our Financial District office, we’ve received many questions about the service. We’ll be answering some of the most common questions in a weekly series on our blog. Here’s our first Q & A:

What is TMS Therapy & how does it work?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is an FDA-approved breakthrough non-medication, non-invasive treatment for patients who continue to experience depressive symptoms despite therapy and anti-depressant medication treatment or those who are unable to tolerate the side effects of medication.

TMS Therapy uses a magnetic pulse similar to that of an MRI and works by stimulating areas of the brain that are underactive in patients with severe depression. As each magnetic pulse passes through the skull and into the brain, this induces brief activity of brain cells underlying the treatment coil. TMS Therapy has been shown to produce changes in neuronal activity in regions of the brain implicated in mood regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex.

TMS Therapy is done on an outpatient basis by prescription only and under the supervision of a psychiatrist. During treatment, the patient is awake and seated in a comfortable chair. A device, about the size of a cupped hand, rests lightly on the head and delivers a series of targeted magnetic pulses that stimulate the part of the brain involved with regulation of mood.

Treatment is typically administered five days a week for four to six weeks.

Patients are awake and alert during the treatments lasting approximately 20 minutes and may return to their daily routine immediately afterwards.